The NBA narrowly avoided a potential crisis on Sunday night when the reigning league MVP, Joel Embiid, was able to play in the Philadelphia 76ers’ home opener. Initially listed as “questionable” due to rest rather than injury, Embiid’s presence on the court provided relief to Sixers fans and caused some concern among NBA officials.
This incident came after the league scrutinized the Sixers when James Harden missed the team’s season opener after demanding a trade. While Harden is healthy and under contract, his absence violated the NBA’s new rules regarding player participation. The game was broadcast on TNT, and since Harden was neither in uniform nor on the bench, it constituted two violations of the league’s regulations.
If Embiid had also sat out the game, it would have been a more severe violation of the new policy. However, this is just the beginning of the issues that have arisen under the NBA’s player participation policy. Several notable players, including Harden, Jimmy Butler, Devin Booker, and Donovan Mitchell, have already missed games in the young season.
Although the league has not accused star players of faking injuries to sit out games, whether teams are adhering to the rules has become a significant concern. The NBA passed new rules to increase player participation and made it clear that it wants to maintain an 82-game season, but the policy has encountered challenges so far.
NBA coaches recognize the importance of having their players on the court but prioritize their safety. While players missing games due to minor aches and pains or rest in October and November is a recent development, teams can assign an injury to a player they want to rest. This practice has become common for older players towards the end of seasons. The league can investigate injuries that appear suspicious under the new policy.
Overall, the NBA’s efforts to enforce player participation have yet to yield the desired results. Despite the league’s seriousness on the matter, star players continue to miss games due to non-injury related reasons or in conjunction with other star teammates’ absences.
The Sixers contemplated resting Embiid, who has a history of injuries and often sits out one of two games on consecutive nights. However, the league’s participation policy made the decision more complicated for the team.
Similar situations have arisen in Cleveland and Phoenix, with multiple star players dealing with nagging injuries. The league may question why these players sat out certain games while being available for others, especially during nationally televised matchups.
In Miami, the Heat chose to rest Jimmy Butler, although they checked with the league beforehand to ensure compliance with the new rules. Butler has a history of knee trouble, and the Heat wanted to give him some rest in the early stages of the season.
Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks is another player who isn’t injured but has dealt with previous injuries. The Bucks’ decision to rest him in their second game was based on injury management and ensuring he is fully recovered and ready to play.
Coaches and league officials recognize that injury recovery and management are essential aspects of player well-being. While the NBA is striving to increase player participation, the challenges of maintaining a full season while prioritizing player health and safety are evident.